THE Morgan Motor Company has been given £6 million to help develop new less-polluting engines for its famous sports cars.

The award was announced by the government's business secretary, Sajid Javid MP, during a visit to Morgan's factory in Pickersleigh Road on Friday.

Morgan was one of the winners of a £75 million competition run by the Coventry-based Advanced Propulsion Centre, a ten-year, £1 billion joint partnership between government and the automotive industry to develop new low-carbon and energy-efficient technology in the automotive sector.

The company will use the funding to develop micro-size, fuel-efficient petrol engines to be used alongside the latest electrical technologies to produce hybrid sports cars and all-electric variants.

Morgan was one of five companies to receive the awards; among the others were Jaguar Land Rover and the London Taxi Company.

Mr Sajid Javid said: “These new projects will cement the UK’s position as a leading global centre for low carbon innovation and manufacturing.

“Our fast-growing and diverse automotive industry has been especially successful at exporting high-value, high-technology vehicles all over the world, and our focus on next-generation innovation will ensure we can continue this progress and create even more high-skilled jobs.”

Morgan Motor Company is the last remaining family-owned, independent British motor manufacturer. It is known for manufacturing sports cars in the classic British mould, and its 180 staff produce around 1,200 cars every year.

Jon Beasley, director for technology and projects at the Advanced Propulsion Centre, said: “The demonstrates the government’s on-going commitment to supporting the UK’s low-carbon advanced propulsion system innovation.

"Co-investment in technological developments to be delivered by industry-led consortia, range from high risk incremental growth programmes to innovative cutting-edge research and development, showing the UK is committed to establishing itself as a global centre for the promotion and development of low-carbon propulsion systems.”